Gang Stalking: A Chilling Phenomenon Shrouded in Mystery

Have you ever felt like you're being watched? That someone, or even a group, is following your every move? If so, you might be familiar with the concept of gang stalking. Gang stalking refers to the belief that you're being harassed and followed by multiple individuals. While it may sound like a plot from a thriller movie, studies suggest it's a more common experience than you might think. Up to 1% of women and a half-percent of men in the Western world report experiencing gang stalking in their lifetime. Despite its prevalence, there's surprisingly little scientific research on gang stalking. Most of what we know comes from self-reported experiences. A recent study aimed to shed light on this by analyzing online narratives from people who believe they are being gang-stalked.

Here's what the study found (Sheridan et al., 2020):

1. Core experiences: People described feeling surveilled, interfered with physically, and targeted by conspiracies. They reported isolation, hopelessness, and a determination to fight back in response to this harassment.
2. Psychological impact: The study confirmed that gang stalking has a severe negative effect on mental well-being. People suffer from symptoms like anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
3. Risk of violence: The study found a troubling trend: some individuals who believe they are being gang-stalked reported developing violent thoughts or tendencies.

It's important to note that gang stalking is not a recognized mental health disorder. People who experience these symptoms may be suffering from other conditions. However, this study highlights the authentic and concerning effects that gang-stalking beliefs can have on individuals. It underscores the need for more research to understand this phenomenon better. Further studies could help us answer questions like (Sheridan et al., 2020):

1. What exactly causes people to believe they are being gang-stalked?
2. Are there different types of gang-stalking experiences?
3. How can we best support those who believe they are being targeted?

By taking gang stalking seriously and conducting more research, we can hopefully find ways to help those affected and prevent violence. This is a complex topic, and if you or someone you know is experiencing gang-stalking or related thoughts, it's vital to seek professional help.

References

1.  Sheridan, L., James, D. V., & Roth, J. (2020). The Phenomenology of Group Stalking (‘Gang-Stalking’): A Content Analysis of Subjective Experiences. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072506

Dante Faints at the Second Circle: A Story of Lust and Loss

 Dante's Inferno isn't just about fire and brimstone. It's a story of human emotions laid bare. We enter the second circle, where a chilling wind whips the souls of the lustful for eternity.  Among them, Dante encounters the tragic Francesca da Rimini and her lover, Paolo.  Their story of forbidden love and murder is heartbreaking.

What makes this passage so powerful?

The universality of love and loss: Everyone can relate to the power of love and pain. Compassion for the condemned: Dante feels pity for Francesca and Paolo, even though they are condemned. The seductive power of desire: The wind represents the uncontrollable nature of lust.

Why did Dante faint?

Overcome with emotion: The raw pain of Francesca's story is too much for him to bear. The weight of human sin: Witnessing the suffering in hell is a profoundly emotional experience. This passage reminds us that even in the darkest corners of hell, there is humanity. Do you think Francesca and Paolo deserve their punishment?  Why or why not?

#dante #inferno #lust #love #loss #compassion #humanity #morality

References

🟩Alighieri, D. The Divine Comedy.(1885) Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-70469

Dante in Limbo: Where the Virtuous Lacking Faith Reside

 Dante's journey through hell continues! We left him shaken by the inscription on the gates, and now he awakens to a new horror: Limbo. Who is here? The virtuous souls who never received baptism. Think of great people from history who lived before Christianity or unbaptized babies. They aren't being actively punished, but their existence is one of eternal longing – desiring heaven but forever out of reach. Why is this so profound? It explores the limitations of human knowledge and faith. Are good deeds enough? Is faith essential? These are questions that have troubled humanity for centuries.

Here are some takeaways:

1. Faith is complex. Dante ponders the fate of those who lived good lives but lacked faith in the specific religion.
2. There's a difference between punishment and longing. Limbo isn't torture but a state of unfulfilled desire.
3. Good intentions can only take you so far. The virtuous pagans exemplify the importance of faith alongside good works.

What do you think? Is faith essential for a good life?

#dante #inferno #limbo #faith #religion #philosophy #morality #goodworks

References

🟩Alighieri, D. The Divine Comedy.(1885) Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-70469